Man in search of Meaning in life MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES Through a viable interpretive strategy SCBC Adult Sunday school Class – Session Three Kenneth Lau March 3, 2013

Session Overview Objectives Objectives Reading the text in accordance with the adopted interpretive strategy Reading the text in accordance with the adopted interpretive strategy

Recap of the first division Chapters 1:1 - 4:8 Observation of the cyclical phenomena (1:4-7) Observation of the cyclical phenomena (1:4-7) Opening conclusion 1:2 Opening conclusion 1:2 Personal observation and feeling Personal observation and feeling Wearisome 1:8 Wearisome 1:8 Not able to tell 1:8 Not able to tell 1:8 Not satisfied 1:8 Not satisfied 1:8 Nothing new 1:9 Nothing new 1:9 No remembrance 1:11 No remembrance 1:11 The big question The big question What is the advantage ?(1:3) Referring to What? What is the advantage ?(1:3) Referring to What? The Context The Context Under the sun (1:3)...What other similar terms in the text? Under the sun (1:3)...What other similar terms in the text?

Recap Approach Approach Set my mind - to seek and explore, to know (1:13, 17) Set my mind - to seek and explore, to know (1:13, 17) From seeing, observing >>>, realization >>> to self talk (1:14, ), experience 2:3 From seeing, observing >>>, realization >>> to self talk (1:14, ), experience 2:3 Vanity = futility = hebel (Rom 8:20) Vanity = futility = hebel (Rom 8:20) The investigation The investigation Wisdom (1:12-18; 2:12-17) Wisdom (1:12-18; 2:12-17) role, impact, benefits and the message? role, impact, benefits and the message? Pleasure, works and Possessions (2:1-11) c.f. 1 Jn 2:16 Pleasure, works and Possessions (2:1-11) c.f. 1 Jn 2:16 No profit? 2:11 No profit? 2:11 Labour - toil - work (2: ) Labour - toil - work (2: ) What was Qoheleth’s assessment and why? what is the relevancy in today’s context? What was Qoheleth’s assessment and why? what is the relevancy in today’s context?

Recap First realization from a heavenly perspective (2:24-26; 3:13) First realization from a heavenly perspective (2:24-26; 3:13) Better vs. good..Hands of God, gift...given vs. may give Better vs. good..Hands of God, gift...given vs. may give What profit? What profit? Appointed Time for everything (3:1-8) Appointed Time for everything (3:1-8) Nothing better...(3;12) Nothing better...(3;12) The enigma of God (2:11, 13-14) The enigma of God (2:11, 13-14) The final leveler (3:19-20) The final leveler (3:19-20) The rhetorical question (3:21) - Against a Judaism belief? The rhetorical question (3:21) - Against a Judaism belief? The harshness of life The harshness of life Oppressions - alternatives (4:1-3) Oppressions - alternatives (4:1-3) The sobering questions about our labour and toil (4:4-8) How do you handle all these in your life? cf. 2:17-18 The sobering questions about our labour and toil (4:4-8) How do you handle all these in your life? cf. 2:17-18

The second and Third Divisions Chapters - 4:9 - 9:18 Using the model developed for the first division as a guide, Using the model developed for the first division as a guide, Identify the issues covered within this section? Identify the issues covered within this section? Follow Qoheleth’s line of self- engaging search and reflection? Follow Qoheleth’s line of self- engaging search and reflection? Write down your own set of questions for Qoheleth Write down your own set of questions for Qoheleth Be prepared to share with your smaller group Be prepared to share with your smaller group

The Search and Reflection keep going... Examples of practical wisdom and realities of living (4:9-16, 5:8-9) Bring God into the picture again Listen>sacrifice 5:1 cf. Psalm 40:6, 51:16; Hosea 6:6 words and vows 5:2, 4-7 Realities with riches insatiable, impact, risk, truth (5:10, 12, 15-16) God given reward for our labour (5:19) Bring gladness...within the few years of life... God gives (5:18)

Enjoyment of riches may be withheld and the earthly equivalent(6:2, 3-7) What is better or even good for the few fleeting years? cf. 3:12-13, 5:19 Wearing a different hat.... building up the argument... A dissertation of wisdom sayings (7:1-14) Be happy...God made them All... 7:14 Wisdom is good...but have not found it...7:28 We have all got that wrong with our clever schemes 7:29 Qoheleth gradually unmask himself ? Listen>sacrifice 5:1 words and vows 5:2, 4-7 Realities with riches insatiable, impact, risk, truth (5:10, 12, 15-16) God given reward for our labour (5:19) Bring gladness...within the few years of life... God gives (5:18)

More advice for sensible living (8:1-9) Regardless of the iniquities and the apparent injustice in life, God reigns and retribution will come (8: ), therefore Eat and drink and be merry (8:15,) because I saw... every work of God... cannot discover the work under the sun (8:17) Man does not know what awaits him (9:1, 12) one fate for all men (9:3) Enjoy life....this is your reward in life and for your toil under the sun (9:9) Attitude towards work - whatever your hand finds...do it with all your might (9:10)

Food for Thought Have you caught on with Qoheleth? His purpose of writing His outward search His reflection and self talk His realization and advice Read on and keep unpacking the text...